Four Ways the Oregon Ducks Have Changed After Chip

Josh White FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Leading up to the kickoff against Nicholls State, Duck fans were anxious to see what Oregon would look like under new coach Mark Helfrich.  Chip Kelly had led the program to previously unprecedented heights, and had done so using a unique and distinctive approach.  His trademark spread option attack put up staggering stats, and routinely churned out over 300 yards …

Chip Kelly Update: Vulnerable to Weakness?

Mark Saltveit FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Chip Kelly’s first season in the NFL ended with a field goal – kicked by the New Orleans Saints as time expired in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. It was a rough ending to a great season, and very likely Michael Vick’s last game as an Eagle.  No one is happy about the loss, close as it was, but …

Recruiting Analysis: Buckle Up as National Signing Day Approaches Like a Blur

Chris Charbonnier FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Coaches don’t get gray hair in November, they get it in January.  This is the time of year, while most think college football has gone cold and dark, that coaches everywhere are making a frenzied final push to sign the best class they possibly can.  This includes ensuring their class doesn’t suffer any losses, which is tough considering the number …

Catch Your Breath! A Mid-Season Wrap. No Bigs but Ducks keep yellin’ Timber.

Max Blumenthal FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Following a loss to the Colorado Buffaloes, Oregon men’s basketball is now 1-1 in the Pac-12 and, it would appear, their season is a complete loss.  Wait a second . . . not so fast, my friend! Sure, everyone hates to see a good win streak ended, but we all need to remember, the basketball season is a marathon and …

Sports Fan’s Guide to What You Need to Know on Knees

Mike Merrell FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Figure 1. The doctor is in. New research from Finland suggests that thousands of people who have arthroscopic knee surgery to fix a torn cartilage, might be wasting their time. A report on the Finnish Degenerative Meniscal Lesion Study (FIDELITY), published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine, finds that the benefits of keyhole operations to repair degenerative meniscal …

Recruiting Update: Swain Bringin’ the Pain

Mark Flores FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Football Recruiting News In a West Team romp, this past Saturday’s U.S. Army All-American Game featured a trifecta of touchdowns coming by way of committed Oregon runner Royce Freeman (4-Star/Imperial, CA/Rivals100). On five carries, Freeman opened the country’s eyes to a blend of nimble power where the 6-foot, 227 lb. running back made short work of the East’s feeble attempts to …

Taylor Hart’s MONSTER Two-Gap Alamo Bowl

Charles Fischer, Mr. FishDuck Fish Reports, FishWrap

Everyone knows that linebackers get the bulk of the tackles in a game, thus it was huge surprise to learn that Taylor Hart was Oregon’s leading tackler in the Alamo Bowl, in what was his pinnacle career game with the Ducks.  I consulted with one of the members of the Coaching Team at FishDuck.com to learn HOW Taylor pulled off such …

Conference Update: It’s a Rough Life on the Road in the Pac-12

Bryan Holt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Life on the road in the Pac-12 is not so easy.  Especially when you’re up against a top-20 team, who happens to be unbeaten in 11 home games so far this season. This past Sunday the No. 15 Colorado Buffaloes handed No. 17 Oregon its first loss of the season for their 13th win of the season with help of a …

Why I Won’t Be Watching Tonight’s Game

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

When watching any given college football game, my rooting interests tend to follow this hierarchy: 1)      Oregon Ducks 2)      Any significant underdog 3)      Pac-12 teams (excluding Washington and Stanford) 4)      Any outcome that turns college football on its ear Following this hierarchy meant last week was a very good week, starting with the Ducks winning their third straight bowl game …

Snow Falls Outside, as Flurries of Points Fall Inside

Nathan Roholt FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Following Thursday’s win against Utah, the Ducks improved to 13-0 to start the season, the first time Oregon had accomplished that since the 2006-07 season.  That Oregon team went to the Elite Eight before falling to eventual national champion Florida.  They also lost their 14th game of the season. Maybe this year’s team wanted to follow that example to a …

Former Player Tribute: Secret Success to a Big Man on Campus

FishDuck Staff Men of Oregon: Players and Coaches

In football, a strong and fast offensive line is key to a team’s success.  The entire front must be strong enough to block for the backs, creating running room and giving the quarterback enough time to think.  Especially in Oregon’s renowned spread offense, where it’s a physically daunting task, and easily taken for granted by many fans.  All too often, spectators …

Let the Games Begin!

Lawrence Hastings FishWrap, FishWrap Archive

Oregon football pummeled Texas in the Alamo Bowl last week.  Oregon baseball is No. 6 in preseason rankings.  And while that’s all good and fun, this, ladies and gentlemen, is basketball season.  So how exactly is the Duck basketball team performing?  Well, they are 13-0 and top-10 in the AP Top 25 — an incredible start to a season by …